Effect of low-level laser irradiation on in vitro function of pancreatic islets.

INTRODUCTION Although islet isolation and transplantation techniques have improved extensively in recent years, the loss of healthy functional islets is one of the major obstacles in this enterprise. A biostimulatory effect of low-level laser irradiation has been proven on proliferation of some kinds of cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser irradiation on the function of isolated rat pancreatic islets after 24 hours of preculture. METHODS Pancreatic islets isolated from male rats (250 to 300 g) were cultured for 24 hours in RPMI 1640 media. Groups of islets then received different energy densities (1, 3, 5 joules/cm(2) or silent) at 2 wavelengths (810 nm and 630 nm) using laser devices. Insulin concentrations in buffer media were measured as indices of islet function. RESULTS Irradiation of incubated islets with 830 nm low-level laser significantly increased insulin secretion after a glucose challenge test (P < .05). There was a significant increase in insulin secretion after irradiation with joules/cm(2) 630 nm energy density (P < .001). CONCLUSION These findings suggest that low-level laser irradiations improved islet cell function before transplantation.